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Create new and fun ways to work on vocabulary and create projects to add rigor to my classroom and

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On overload! Feel like I am trying to do too much at once! 

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On overload! Feel like I am trying to do too much at once! 

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Class sizes, Trying to meet multiple demands, special 

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Class sizes, Trying to meet multiple demands, special 

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Keep the CLP in mind in all classes. We must continue working together.

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Keep the CLP in mind in all classes. We must continue working together.

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One-on-ones needed for students that are supposed to in their IEPs

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One-on-ones needed for students that are supposed to in their IEPs

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Classroom Management: students talking, or too much time wasted to refocus them. 

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Classroom Management: students talking, or too much time wasted to refocus them. 

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Verbal and visual cues to regain focus. Stay consistent. 

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Verbal and visual cues to regain focus. Stay consistent. 

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RESPONSE:  This is key to keeping a focus and calm in your class.  Good point.

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Accommodating students with IEPs effectively w class sizes so large.

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Accommodating students with IEPs effectively w class sizes so large.

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Class sizes and the finding the time to fulfill the amount of responsibilities required of teachers

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Class sizes and the finding the time to fulfill the amount of responsibilities required of teachers

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Class sizes. I am concerned about meeting all of my students IEPs, but in a class of 38, it is difficult to provide that one on one assistance.

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Spec Ed Dept chair can visit classrooms to offer suggestions and work with students to help with the workload

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Spec Ed Dept chair can visit classrooms to offer suggestions and work with students to help with the workload

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RESPONSE: As stated below --- ask for help if you need it.

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Going pretty well so far but too many students are not prepared with a working computer device. Most classes are 30 or so students but manageable.

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Going pretty well so far but too many students are not prepared with a working computer device. Most classes are 30 or so students but manageable.

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Trying to deal with the behaviors in classes with large class sizes and a large number of Iep students. A fair amount of 6th graders feel that rules don’t apply to them.

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Keep trying to get the students into a routine. Show them that positive behaviors yield better grades and more high interest activities.

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Class sizes. Especially in the science rooms. We had chairs breaking and attempting to locate new ones has been a challenge. I have students sitting on counters as a result. 

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Class sizes. Especially in the science rooms. We had chairs breaking and attempting to locate new ones has been a challenge. I have students sitting on counters as a result. 

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Locate new chairs or purchase them myself. 

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Locate new chairs or purchase them myself. 

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Meeting multiple demands outside of teaching. Class sizes. Not enough support with the large number of IEPs. 

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Meeting multiple demands outside of teaching. Class sizes. Not enough support with the large number of IEPs. 

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Recognizing that there is little we can do about this, it's difficult to manage classes this size and do all the things we want to do here at WMMS.

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Overall, the school is LOUD throughout the entire day (bus, halls, cafeteria, classes). When students come to my room, they bring an expectation of noise. In general, students rarely experience a quiet study environment.

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We should have 20 minutes after mod 2 and another 20 minutes before mod 4.  We could design physical activities with literacy and math objectives to qualify as instructional minutes.  EXAMPLE: throw the football to measure distance. Shoot baskets and calculate percentage of made shots.

RESPONSE: This is not a bad idea; however, brain breaks within the class might be more appropriate as the transition of students regularly throughout or in and out of the building would cause more issues than you might imagine.  There are brain breaks which are physical.  Look online for ideas or connect with Mr. Berkowitz, Ms. Prodrotti or Ms. McQuillan for suggestions.

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Too many responsibilities. Spread too thin.

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Too many responsibilities. Spread too thin.

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Rotation for Bus duty responsibilities

RESPONSE:  All staff have duties and rotating the duties won't reduce the time spent on the one you currently have.  Bus duty is one of the more challenging duties which is why we have asked most of the male teachers to help out.  When outside (whomever it is) we need teachers to direct students as needed and not to simply stand there without supporting and directing students.  We'll look to see if we can offer more support outside to help with dismissal.

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Focus on mastering one skill at a time. Students and staff can't sprint before they walk. We are taking in a lot. Teacher morale is extremely low already; for example in October there are formal observations, SLO's and an IB deliverable. Yes, we as teachers are flexible and we expect challenges, but people are beginning to break. The SPED population is high, which isn't a problem, if the supports that should be put in place were there. Kids with one-on-ones on their IEP's don't have them and the department chair doesn't come around to provide any strategies or assistance to Gen Ed glass with 15+ IEP students. Who is supposed to help with this? 

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Focus on mastering one skill at a time. Students and staff can't sprint before they walk. We are taking in a lot. Teacher morale is extremely low already; for example in October there are formal observations, SLO's and an IB deliverable. Yes, we as teachers are flexible and we expect challenges, but people are beginning to break. The SPED population is high, which isn't a problem, if the supports that should be put in place were there. Kids with one-on-ones on their IEP's don't have them and the department chair doesn't come around to provide any strategies or assistance to Gen Ed glass with 15+ IEP students. Who is supposed to help with this? 

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RESPONSE:  If you need help then ask for it. There are 80 adults working in the building and if there is a need by any staff member, you have been told several times to always come to the source or to the principal for help. If you remain in your room and not ask for help, nothing will change.

I agree that you should focus on mastering one skill at a time.  That is a good recommendation for managing your workload.

I've pushed formal observations back to give teachers more time.  Many schools have nearly completed all formal observations at this point.  SLOs, etc. should be a collaborative process spearheaded by your Chair.  See them for help as needed.

Lastly, this was a SOLUTIONS column. Please reference concerns in the appropriate column next time. Thanks for your input.

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've drafted the request for additional teachers. I plan to present my request to the ED/Comm Sup on Friday. I am seeking an additional math, science, social studies, language arts, and Spanish teacher.  My requests are ambitious but we actually have need for all I'm asking for.  Continue to plan creative lessons knowing your current situation and feel free to reach out to the Admin, Chairs, STAT, Resource Teacher, Mr. Park, Ms. Magin for any help we can provide.

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Ms. Gresham sent an email to all staff offering her assistance if needed and addition to support from Adult Assistants (AAs) to support students who require one-on-ones. We'll continue to look for ways to support our students with special needs and maximize support staff as best we can.

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Our grade 6 students are having a harder time understanding the expectations of middle school and that of WMMS.  It's important to review routines, procedures, and expectations DAILY.  Build the review into your daily lesson plans and remain consistent with the information in the CLP.

I plan to have a family meet with grade 6 especially within the next two weeks to reiterate these expectations. Also, I will meet separately with our most challenging students as a prerequisite for our planned mentoring program as a proactive approach to helping our most needy students.

Continue to follow the school discipline plan, CLP, and steps progression knowing that the Admin are meeting with parents daily and advocating for improved behaviors in your class.

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You make a good point. I too feel that the level of noise of not where I or we should want it to be. It's critical to remind students of this expectation. Stop before students exit your room.  Remind as students enter your room.  Remind again as they sit and begin their work. Remind again as they begin to work in groups, as they transition, etc.  If we ALL are speaking the same language about the noise expectation then we'll see results.

Teachers must quiet students when walking through the halls to/from lunch.  This is the point of having teachers escort students in the first place.  Reward students for walking quietly via ClassChart points.  Everyday if needed.  Prevent students from off-topic and unwarranted chatter in your classrooms.  This contributes to students thinking its okay to freely talk without permission causing more issues for you.  For us.

The increase in enrollment from 450 to 610 has something to do with the increase in noise but we all can do better in enforcing appropriate INSIDE voice levels in all areas of the building.  It's an adjustment we all have to make together.

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Teaching 6th and 7th grade simultaneously. 

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Teaching 6th and 7th grade simultaneously. 

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1 full years worth of different skill levels are causing students to become frustrated.

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Teaching 6th and 7th grade simultaneously.

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Teaching 6th and 7th grade simultaneously.

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Splitting the class in half. Teaching 7th grade curriculum for 30 min and 6th grade curriculum for 30 min. (Tried this and it worked for the most part. I still feel like I'm neglecting half of the class - any suggestions?)

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Try to tackle a new course, with a new LMS, new grading system, at a new grade level.

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I think it could be beneficial if a teacher that feel comfortable and is effectively using schoology and OneNote could present and share what they do, how the do it and why it is effective could help others better integrate it into the classroom.

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but we have to stick together. I know IEP students require a lot but please remember we are teachers of ALL students, We have to modify for all kids - even some of our gen ed kids!